College of Health's Project GAIN Wins State Program Award

College of Health's Project GAIN Wins State Program Award

Apr 8, 2004 6:00 PM

University of Utah College of Health's Project GAIN has been named the state's model program by the Utah Recreation and Parks Association. The annual award honors innovative parks and recreation programs.

In its second year, Project GAIN (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) is a program of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf that uses the sport to encourage people with disabilities to get involved in their communities.

"It's more than just golf," said Project GAIN co-founder and director, David M. Compton, Ed.D., M.P.H., professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the College of Health. "The program is meant to promote social inclusion. We've seen participants increase their self-confidence by succeeding in a game that is so difficult," he said.

Project GAIN, which began in Salt Lake City, also has programs in Baltimore; Chicago; Toledo, Ohio; and Sacramento, Calif.

Upcoming Project GAIN events in Utah include:

-Statewide putting championship, April 10-Oct. 9

-Lessons given by PGA professionals, April 19

-Zevex Celebrity Challenge, June 23.

For more information about participating or becoming a mentor, call 801-581-3905.